Social media marketing is a broad category that encompasses multiple different digital marketing tactics on many platforms. This includes Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, Reddit, X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn and even sites like GoodReads and WhatsApp. The strategies used to market on this site range from organic growth through content and networking to viral videos and paid advertisements.
A Digital Marketer is a general online marketing expert. They use social media marketing as one piece of their larger marketing arsenal. A Digital Strategist works with a Digital Marketer to determine the best marketing plan for their client and perfect the SEO for a campaign.
A Marketing Analyst and analyzes the data that the campaign produces. They also research a campaign before it’s executed to determine target audiences and keywords. They analyze stats from social media marketing campaigns and provide reports on where the campaign can improve their return on investment.
Social Media Strategists plan and create social media marketing efforts. This includes creating content, making content calendars, executing hashtag strategies, buying and posting paid advertisements, and growing the reach of a social media account.
A Marketing Manager is someone who does all of the above. They also oversee employees which can mean they have one or all of these roles working for them. They use social media marketing as a piece of their marketing strategy puzzle and often outsource it to a specialized expert.
While social media marketing is a fantastic place to start your digital marketing journey, it’s not the only thing you need to know to get a job. You should hone in on your favorite social media platform and learn the nuances of its algorithm. You’ll also need to know basic graphic design, digital marketing strategies, and learn about paid advertising.
Social Media Marketing Career Options
Here are a few career paths for which you’ll likely need Social Media Marketing skills in order to succeed. We also include additional info about their average salaries, their day-to-day responsibilities, and a link to learn more about each career.
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Digital Marketer
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$61K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$64K / year
Digital marketers are responsible for designing, managing, and reviewing digital marketing campaigns. Using their expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), social media, backlinking, and digital ads, digital marketers provide data- and demographic-driven marketing strategies. They may also help companies develop content marketing strategies through blogs. Digital marketers also use data analytics to review digital marketing campaign results and provide guidance for future campaigns.
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Marketing Analyst
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$71K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$72K / year
A Marketing Analyst brings marketing expertise to companies and organizations to assist with their marketing initiatives. Depending on the type of role and company they are working for, the Marketing Analyst's job can vary in terms of channels and the type of work. In some cases, the Marketing Analyst will be in charge of providing analytical support for a specific channel or set of marketing channels. The Marketing Analyst may also be involved in coming up with strategies, identifying the right audiences, performing competitive analyses, and optimizing channels.
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Digital Strategist
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$76K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$102K / year
Digital strategy is the work behind digitally rich projects like websites, social media, SEO content, digital marketing, and more. Digital Strategists identify opportunities for growth and make plans for new website releases, content for their clients with a specific end goal in mind, or an advertising campaign.
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Social Media Strategist
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$72K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$74K / year
Social Media Strategists design social media blueprints to achieve a client's or a company's marketing targets. They also create content and manage client or company’s accounts.
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Marketing Manager
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$80K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$81K / year
Marketing Managers oversee a team of marketing professionals who find ways to grow the business they work for, execute those growth ideas through campaigns, and analyze and report on those campaigns.
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Social Media Manager
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$62K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$59K / year
Social Media Managers oversee the creation of social media marketing campaigns and handle the day-to-day work of running a brand or institution's social media presence.
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Business Manager
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$80K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$75K / year
Business Managers oversee a company and its employees. These professionals handle a wide range of tasks, including working in project management, design, marketing, and finance.
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Business Consultant
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$112K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$83K / year
Business Consultants are skilled individuals who provide professional advice and assistance in a range of routine business tasks, ranging from marketing and human resources to law and cybersecurity.
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Business Administrator
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$67K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$69K / year
Business Administrators are responsible for handling the day-to-day operations of a company. This includes managing employees, leading departments, as well as handling staffing concerns.